So far as I am aware, there has been no other tasting in the world that combined the film “Bottleshock”, an actor guest (Hal B. Klein who played “Shenky” in the film), a history lesson (guest Elizabeth Downer was a member of the Academie du Vin in Paris, and knows Steve Spurrier, played by Alan … Continue reading The “Judgment of Pittsburgh” – one of a kind tasting event!!
Cordier’s Chateau Andron 2009 has a lot going for it. It is from the highly respected Medoc region within Bordeaux AND this vintage is considered by many to be one of the best in memory! Bordeaux wines are some of the most famous in the world, and pricing can be very high – indeed some … Continue reading Cordier Chateau Andron Medoc 2009 Bordeaux
Here are my top twelve picks for the Pittsburgh Wine Festival (with comments and table numbers so you can find them!) Enjoy the Festival!!! 1999 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Winery:Nicolas Feuillatte Region:Champagne Notes:Vintage Champagne is always worth trying and 1999 was known to be a great vintage. Table 150 2004 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne Winery:Louis … Continue reading My Picks for the Pittsburgh Wine Festival – 12 must-try wines!
Restaurant wine lists are often intimidating and expensive. Coupled with a the often snooty Sommelier, the common American restaurant wine experience can easily result in a fast order of beer or mixed drink just to avoid the difficulty and expense of ordering a bottle of wine. Recently I have been on the hunt for value … Continue reading Casbah and Chateau des Leotins 2009 = Great Restaurant Value
Affordable Bordeaux actually exists! This would seem a surprise during the current era when huge media attention is given to the steep annual price increases – driven, to a great extent, by Asian wealth discovering a taste for the most significant Bordeaux wines. However, while it is true France’s most famous wine region produces some … Continue reading Affordable Bordeaux in Pennsylvania!!!
Braddock’s American Brasserie at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel has agreed to carry these wines just for our tastings each Tuesday of June from 530pm-730pm – check out the great and interesting variety of European Wines! Tuesday June 7 – These two wines were just featured in the wine spectator as “Best Values” in the Wine … Continue reading June Tuesday Tastings – great European Variety!
The 15th “Off-the-Grid” Sunday Supper Series (www.off-the-grid.ws) wine dinner was fantastic. For our 15th dinner we wanted to try a dinner theme aimed at the good old USA – and our friends at Braddock’s American Brasserie (at Pittsburgh’s Renaissance Hotel) were more than happy to work with us. Jim Henning‘s entire Braddock’s management team and … Continue reading Fantastic American Wine Dinner at Braddock’s American Brasserie
For the fortunate 50 people who got tickets before they sold out – the Grapenuts (www.grapenuts.org) goes to Quantum Theatre (www.quantumtheatre.com) “Maria de Buenos Aires” tasting was great fun for all. Even the performers enjoyed some authentic Argentine bites and wines before the show. The empanadas were sourced from Pittsburgh’s absolute best Argentine Caterer, La … Continue reading Notes from Quantum Theatre “Maria de Buenos Aires” tasting with Grapenuts
If I didn’t know better I’d think this were a dense and muscular right bank Bordeaux – but it is actually a Haut Medoc (Left Bank) wine that uses a more-common-on-the-right-bank blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine displays trademark Merlot lushness and mouth feel, with big fruit flavors unadulterated by oak … Continue reading Château Haut Beyzac 2009 Bordeaux
The Bordeaux region of Graves is located south and east of the best known Bordeaux regions. Graves soils include a great deal of ice-age glacial alluvial gravels, so much so as to prompt the region to named after them. It is said that the Graves gravel and clay soils influence the robustness of wines made … Continue reading Chateau Tour de Rodet Graves 2009 Bordeaux
Jack Brice Wine 